Placing a bet on a favourite – some punters can’t get enough of them, while others steer clear of them. Racing writer Justin Devine looks at some of the more fancied runners for this weekend’s horse racing and decides if he loves them 😍 or if he should leave ❎ them!
The Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm will see the emerging GYPSY GODDESS jump as a short priced favourite. She looks a class above her rivals and will add some black type to her CV. The McEvoy/Vorset combination can get a win with FIGHTER at Gawler while THE VELVET QUEEN looks to have a bright future ahead of her in the West. She can bring up her hat trick at Ascot 😍.
BIGBOYROY was good when placed first-up but I’m not falling for her at a short price second up! HIGH EMOCEAN looks likely to need the run when resuming at Flemington and is one to watch deeper into his prep. TAMILAIDE has made a habit of finding one or two better than him in recent times and this trend is likely to continue at Eagle Farm ❎.
Good Luck Punters!
Gawler R4 – 2. Fighter @ $1.80 😍
The McEvoy trained FIGHTER found the line strongly to win well over 1800m last start and looks ready to step up to 2100m for the first time this week. He drops 3.5kgs from his last start and Barend Vorster continues to ride winners for fun in South Australia including a double at Morphettville on Friday. Expect him to come with a well-timed run in the straight and to prove too good for his rivals. He ticks all the boxes.
Eagle Farm R5 – 5. Gypsy Goddess @ $1.35 😍
GYPSY GODDESS maintained her unbeaten record when she came with a powerful finish to win at Doomben over 2000m (below) last start. She was able to overcome some difficulties in the run on that occasion and is quickly becoming a “spruik” horse. She might be a superstar in the making. She only needs to go around trouble-free to win the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes. The best bet of the day.
Gypsy Goddess is a filly to follow! 👀 pic.twitter.com/IDJpWnVkwU
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 4, 2021
BET ON GRAND PRIX STAKES HERE:
Ascot R4 – 10. The Velvet Queen @ $2.90 😍
THE VELVET QUEEN made it two from two this prep when she savaged the line off a slow tempo to win at Ascot last start. While the margin wasn’t big, she did run the best closing 400m of the day and in a run full of merit. Chris Parnham will go back on the filly from the wide gate before looking to power home. She can get the prize. I’m on.
Flemington R3 – 6. High Emocean @ $3.30 ❎
HIGH EMOCEAN returns after an eight-week let-up and with one placing from his last four runs, he has been a touch disappointing of late. The Maher and Eustace yard have dominated the staying races in recent times, but to win over 2600m first up is a big ask. Can he win? Of course! Is he a $3.30 chance? Not for me. Pass.
BET ON FLEMINGTON RACE 3 HERE:
Eagle Farm R3 – 5. Tamilaide @ $2.15 ❎
You would love to own TAMILAIDE! You can’t knock his record with three wins and five placings from eight career runs. He made up good ground without threatening the winner when finishing second first up and jumps up to 1400m for his second-up runs. BUT hasn’t won at his previous second runs nor has he won over 1400m. Those stats are a concern, as is the extra 4kgs he will need to carry compared to last time. He looks under the odds.
BET ON EAGLE FARM RACE 3 HERE:
Randwick R8 – 9. Bigboyroy @ $2.70 ❎
Which BIGBOYROY will turn up this weekend? The Waller-trained gelding put in a big run to place first-up over 1400m and could be set for a big campaign. The booking of James McDonald will ensure he is shorter than he should be. No wins for 50 weeks and one win from six second up runs are damning numbers. I’m happy to take him on!